Saturday, August 27, 2011

In Case of (a Food) Emergency...

OK, we are waiting for Irene... we have been warned of wind, rain, flooding and power outages for up to 10 days! The supermarket was crazy yesterday with everyone stocking up on supplies. Here is a list of what I have on-hand, without going crazy on the processed foods. For immediate and long-term needs:

Fruit or vegetables that can be stored at room temperature for a long time, and can be eaten raw if necessary. i.e. Apples, Avocados (choose unripe ones), Carrots, Green beans, Melons (whole), Pineapples

water (recommended to have enough for 1 gallon per person per day)

Long-life milk

non-perishable ready-to-eat foods, such as canned/tinned beans and fish

Dried fruit and nuts

Dried beans that you can re-hydrate, as long as you have water

Dried sheets of seaweed

Dried meat, like pepperoni or salami sticks

Crackers, breadsticks

A small gas burner or a camping stove, is handy to have if you have no other means to cook, stock up on:

Frozen vegetables and any cooked meat (if there is a power outage, these will slowly defrost and can be consumed after a few days)

If possible, prepare some food in the "calm" before the storm, these can last the first few days. Cook whatever raw meat you have onhand, and either freeze it or keep it in the fridge for more immediate use. Cooked meat lasts about a week in the fridge. In case of power outage, store everything in ziplocs and in an airtight cooler with what ice/ice packs you have.

Actually many of these foods are good to have on-hand at any time, like if you know you will have a busy week, or need to bring stuff to eat while travelling. If there is an emergency, you can focus on matters at hand. If there is no state of emergency, then you can relax and marvel at the power of Mother Nature. Any way you look at it, it is better to be prepared.